Thesis (DTech. degree in Marketing)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2009. / This study focuses mainly on the marketing orientation of a franchisor in the optometric industry. Aspects such as the needs of franchisees with regard to products and services, prices and promotions, distribution, people and processes were investigated.

M.Comm. / All over the world, retailers are finding themselves in an ever-increasing competitive market. Opportunities to differentiate oneself from other retailers are diminishing by the day. This situation also applies to the South African retailers. The fact that the local industry has been isolated from the international arena does not engender a lesser competitive situation. Isolation only implies a certain lag behind the rest of the world in terms of technology and the application thereof. The South African retailer finds himself between two main threats, i.e. from local rivals as well as the possibility of foreign investments. Within this environment, the retailer has to find means to distinguish itself from competitors. The question which springs to mind is - Which focus areas and/or competitive advantages are available for a South African retailer to differentiate himself in today's extremely competitive market? This dissertation aims to provide insight into this question. The aim of this dissertation is to identify those critical success factors which are paramount to the long-term survival of retailers in South Africa. The structure set out in Figure 1-1 will be applied and used as the starting point. These will then be evaluated against inputs received from major role players in this industry.

The objective of this study is to assess the functional strategies of retail pharmacies in South Africa with a view to identify and evaluate variables which universally and significantly influence their profitability. The study devoted attention to both external, uncontrollable variables and internal, controllable variables. The functional strategies were assessed by means of management audit criteria. A sample of 800 retail pharmacies was selected from the 2 755 retail pharmacies in South Africa at the time of the study. A response rate of 32% was achieved. Multiple regression analysis was used in this study and the influences identified may be summarised as follows: Positive influences: General management : Written mission statement; Strength and weaknesses analysed. Marketing management: Location in a medical centre; Trading hours; Number of prescriptions dispensed. Personnel: Number of management courses attended. Purchasing: Purchase ratio. Financial management: Single proprietorship; Partnership. Negative influences: General management : Lack of a written mission statement. Marketing management: Location in a shopping centre; Location on the street front; Pricing by means of percentage mark-up (Pricing may be regarded as a variable related to both marketing and financial management.) Personnel: -. Purchasing: -. Financial management: Discounts afforded to medical schemes; Close corporation In order to enhance and improve their profitability, retail pharmacists should capitalise on those variables which influence profitability positively and modify those variables which were found to influence profitability negatively. Recommendations are made on how the above variables should be used to influence the profitability of retail pharmacies positively. / Business Management / D. Com. (Business Economics)

The objective of this study is to assess the functional strategies of retail pharmacies in South Africa with a view to identify and evaluate variables which universally and significantly influence their profitability. The study devoted attention to both external, uncontrollable variables and internal, controllable variables. The functional strategies were assessed by means of management audit criteria. A sample of 800 retail pharmacies was selected from the 2 755 retail pharmacies in South Africa at the time of the study. A response rate of 32% was achieved. Multiple regression analysis was used in this study and the influences identified may be summarised as follows: Positive influences: General management : Written mission statement; Strength and weaknesses analysed. Marketing management: Location in a medical centre; Trading hours; Number of prescriptions dispensed. Personnel: Number of management courses attended. Purchasing: Purchase ratio. Financial management: Single proprietorship; Partnership. Negative influences: General management : Lack of a written mission statement. Marketing management: Location in a shopping centre; Location on the street front; Pricing by means of percentage mark-up (Pricing may be regarded as a variable related to both marketing and financial management.) Personnel: -. Purchasing: -. Financial management: Discounts afforded to medical schemes; Close corporation In order to enhance and improve their profitability, retail pharmacists should capitalise on those variables which influence profitability positively and modify those variables which were found to influence profitability negatively. Recommendations are made on how the above variables should be used to influence the profitability of retail pharmacies positively. / Business Management / D. Com. (Business Economics)

M. Tech. Business Administration / Malls posed some threat to traditional retailers, but many retailers defended successfully by using niche, differentiation and customer focus strategies to dodge and defend competition from the malls. These strategies were however, weakened by new forms of competition which emerged from new retailers who located their businesses in the residential area of Soshanguve. Most of these new retailers were from other African countries in origin mostly from Somalia. It was not clear how these new retailers managed to attract a significant size of the market. This study attempted to investigate the threat of emerging shopping malls established inside Soshanguve as competitors of the traditional retailers of the township, which are mostly small in size. The study further investigated the causes of failure of many such traditional retailers and the development of robust strategies they could adopt in order to offset this new competition.

South Africa is currently undergoing a phase of transformation that has indicated a shift from institutionalised oppression in all political, social and economic spheres to a society that is ideally open, free and democratic. Many aspects of life in South Africa are therefore changing as this transformation process is proceeding. It is this transformation process that has prompted interest in the area of economic empowerment amongst those who were previously disadvantaged in the "old" South Africa. The previously disadvantaged represent a large percentage of potentially economically active members of South African society. However, because of a high unemployment rate, other alternative forms of employment need to be sought, mainly through entrepreneurial endeavours. One such alternative, which is presented in this study, is the possible role that the franchise industry may play in economically empowering people that were previously disadvantaged. The purpose of this study is to theoretically and empirically examine the potential of franchising to act as a mechanism for economic empowerment. It explores the perceptions of franchisors, franchisees and financial institutions in regards to the current state of the franchise industry in order to assess the extent to which franchising does or does not act as a mechanism for economic empowerment. Conclusions have been drawn to correlate the theory and the empirical analysis of the surveys that were undertaken. It has been found that in many ways, franchising may act as a mechanism for economic empowerment but there are factors that inhibit the role that franchising can play in promoting this form of entrepreneurship. Where these negative factors have surfaced, a methodology has been presented in order to minimise such effect. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Political Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 489-528). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR29487

One of the greatest challenges facing South Africa and the "independent states" of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei over the next decade will be job creation and the development of the skills of the people. This is particularly true of Ciskei with its rapid population growth, unemployment, shortage of skilled manpower and over abundance of unskilled labour. Small business and, in particular, retailing with its relatively low entry requirements, can play a significant role in the creation of jobs. Small business, and small business retailing in particular, suffers, however, from a high failure rate resulting in a waste of financial and human resources which a developing nation like Ciskei can ill afford. The training of people involved in small business retailing is, therefore, of great importance. There is no unanimity of opinion, however, as to what training models or approaches are most appropriate. The purpose of this study was, thus, to design a training model, develop an andragogic training programme for Ciskeian small retailers based upon the model and test it. In accordance with the model developed, the nature of the retailers performance problem was established, the job of the small retailer was analysed, the training needs of retailers were identified, performance standards were set, the course curriculum was developed, training strategies and styles were selected, the necessary training resources were obtained and the training programme was implemented. A pilot training programme was run in 1987 and then the amended programme was run for two years. The results of the training were measured in terms of: -the delegates reaction to the training programme -what the delegates learnt -changes in the business as perceived by regular customers -reaction of the delegates to the training programme one year later -case studies and survival rates Statistically significant positive results were obtained in all aspects evaluated. It can, therefore, be concluded that the andragogic training model for Ciskeian retailers resulted in a positive reaction of delegates to the training, an improvement in the retailer's knowledge of retailing, positive changes in the businesses as perceived by regular customer and improved survival rates of these small retail businesses.

The primary objective of this research study was to strategically analyse the meaning of work for fashion retail industry employees with the aim of developing a calling orientation to work.A sample of 84 fashion retail industry employees from Port Elizabeth, South Africa indicated their perception of callings in work; the pathways to callings in work and job satisfaction. Furthermore, fashion retail industry employees also indicated their use of job crafting techniques as a tool to foster meaningful work. This is one of the first studies conducted on callings in work in the fashion retail industry.Findings of the study indicated that although on average fashion retail industry employees are neutral about having a calling orientation to work, 24-27% indicated to having a calling orientation to work. Furthermore the study showed that there is a positive correlation between 1) transcendent guiding force; 2) value-driven behaviour and sense and meaning; 3) identification with one’s work and person-environment fit and a calling orientation to work. The study also indicated that the presence of a transcendent guiding force and job satisfaction are the two independent variables that are influential in achieving calling orientation to work for fashion retail industry employees of Port Elizabeth. Implications and recommendations from this study are outlined.

Franchising has become the latest trend in business expansion and business acquisition and with the South African franchising market estimated at being around 12% and growing rapidly, enormous potential for future growth is indicated. Companies both local and international are seeking franchise expansion opportunities in Africa despite the higher risks. The significance of implementing franchises into Africa is the filtering down of business opportunities to the small and medium enterprise sector. It can be said that franchising promotes business growth and private ownership, while improving the quality of life of the poor through its impact on income and employment. A franchise organisation that grows too quickly might not have the necessary ‘factors’ in place to support all of the units properly. In the survey conducted, it was indicated that the franchise business practice echoed the literature reviewed. All the steps necessary to establish a franchise are important but not necessarily as equal. The more matured franchisee needed less guidance from the franchisor and relied more on the business concept and location. Potential franchisors need to take the necessary steps to establish a franchise and treat each step as an important part of the franchise process.